BEUKEMA: Fall has arrived; Time for the youth to get their shot

Fall brings traffic on roads with kids driving to and from school. It also signals the time of youth deer season, small game, woodcock and turkey seasons.
The small game season has been open since Sept. 15, with the long-awaited ruffed grouse season kicking into full gear, with hunters from all around Michigan and neighboring states hitting the forest with their dogs to flush a grouse.
Squirrels and rabbits are also species that can be pursued during small game season and, as of Sept. 15, turkey season is another opportunity, according to the DNR.
Sept. 21 has been open for woodcock season. Hunters from not only Michigan but many bordering states as well will be hunting for “timberdoodles.”
Before hitting the field or woods, the DNR reminds hunters to check the 2013 Hunting and trapping Guide.
Looking for a place to hunt can be a problem. A good place to start is on public land. Begin by using the MI-HUNT interactive mapping tool to find over 9.9 million acres of public land open to hunting, there’s bound to be a new and attractive place or two to try out.
Be sure to watch the tutorial sessions to get the most out of this mapping application. Maps can be printed in color and viewed at the level where users can search for sought-after tree species.
Looking for areas to hunt on private land? The Hunting Access Program (HAP) opens an additional 143 properties where landowners allow public access.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.
This year, beginning Sept. 1, deer hunters are allowed to place ground blinds on public land before the old rule of Nov. 5.
This change makes placement dates and opportunities for ground blinds consistent with those for raised platforms/scaffolds (often called tree stands), which also can be placed on public land as early as Sept. 1, according to the DNR.
Starting Sept 23, select DNR Offices have someone available to check deer Monday-Friday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. throughout all other deer seasons. Please see the 2013 Deer Check Station list for office locations and more information.
Besides receiving a successful hunters patch, the information provided at deer check stations help the DNR monitor and manage the deer herd state-wide.
For more information about hunting rules and regulations, see www.michigan.gov/dnrdigests.
The Special Firearm Disabled Hunter Deer Hunting Days, scheduled for Oct. 17-20, is now called the Independence Hunt.
The NRC has expanded the eligibility to include hunters who are legally blind or have been issued a permit to use a laser-sighting device or to hunt from a standing vehicle. The Department of Natural Resources estimates that fewer than 1,000 hunters have been issued these permits.
The NRC also simplified the application process for permits to hunt from a standing vehicle. Previously, a conservation officer met with the applicant to determine eligibility. Now, the DNR will accept forms that have been completed by a licensed physician, physical therapist or occupational therapist. Permits will have no expiration date. Deer of either sex may be taken.
Hunters with disabilities are allowed to place ground blinds 10 days previous to the season in which they are to hunt.
In the past, hunters must have possessed a standing vehicle permit or a disabled-parking permit issued by the Secretary of State, or have met the disability standards in the Michigan Off-Road Vehicle Law, to place the blind. The NRC expanded eligibility to include hunters who have crossbow disability permits.
Additionally, the NRC waived the requirement that ground blinds be removed daily, as was previously required prior to Nov. 6. Hunters with appropriate permits will now be allowed to leave the blinds up overnight until the season has concluded.
The changes are designed to allow hunters with disabilities to have a better chance of successfully harvesting a deer. Additionally, many parks and recreation areas have established ground blinds situated in good deer viewing areas for disabled hunters. Some, like the new blind at Holly Recreation Area even allow vehicles to be driven practically to the door of the blind.
Notebook
“Great Michigan Deer Tales-Book 6,” by Richard P. Smith, 128 pages has just been released.
All six books have led the way into the yearly deer seasons, usually coming out a month or so before any deer opener. And they are a good way to get the adrenalin pumping in anticipation of deer camp.
Reading about Michigan record bucks and non-typical racks will definitely put you in the mood for any kind of deer hunting in which you choose to participate.
By the way, while the stories are interesting along with the supporting photos, pay attention to the stories. They often offer tips about how to improve your hunting chances.
Locally, Oxford’s Jerry Pennington can definitely be called a successful hunter.
“By the end of the 2012 seasons, he had a total of 31 bucks entered in state records maintained by Commemorative Bucks of Michigan (CBM). Most of those whitetails (27) were bagged in Oakland County,” Smith wrote.
Smith’s books about deer tails make a nice addition to anyone’s library.
Any serious hunter should have several if not the complete set.